Local Vietnam veteran Mike Creen is on a mission to recognize all veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange.
Agent Orange was a defoliant used to destroy or reduce the jungle canopy in Vietnam to lessen cover for the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong. The herbicide is a dioxin, with long lasting effects ranging from cancer and heart problems to birth defects.
Creen, a U.S. Air Force photographer, said the chemical was everywhere.
“If you were on the ground, in the air, on the water, you were exposed to it,” he said.
The Orange Heart Medal Foundation was inspired by the Purple Heart, the U.S. military award for being wounded in combat. The medal resembles the Purple Heart, but the foundation is not affiliated with the government in any way, Creen said.
“The Foundation is working with legislators in every state to gain recognition for the Orange Heart,” Creen said. The goal is to have the states recognize veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange recognized as combat wounded. Ten states have signed on, including Tennessee, where the Foundation is based. A memorial wall naming all recipients of the Orange Heart is being created in Springfield, Tenn.
More than 11,300 of the medals have been distributed to veterans at no cost, Creen said. He is spearheading a local effort to make sure every veteran in the Columbus County area is recognized. A number of members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 962 have already received their medals, but Creen said there are many more eligible in the county.
Veterans, widows and children of veterans may apply for the medal, Creen explained. He is accepting applications at the Veterans Building at 1028 South Madison in Whiteville on weekdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Creen said a recognition and medal ceremony is set for 6 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Veterans Building in Whiteville. He said he available to help with the forms as well as answering questions about the program.
The form can be filled out in person at the Veterans Building, or downloaded at orangeheartmedal.org. Applicants need the veterans discharge papers and any proof of service and deployment.
Scanned forms may be emailed to gruntwifenc@gmail.com, or mailed to Robin Spence, P.O. Box 146, Hookerton, N.C. 28538.
Creen said some of his own health problems have their roots in Agent Orange exposure.
“When we first got home, and so many others didn’t survive, we were all ‘We made it. We didn’t get shot.’ Then the illnesses started, sometimes years later, and we found out that even when we were home, we still weren’t safe.”
For more information contact Creen at 843.214.0315 or Spence at 252.560.5499.
